By Lucia Gross (Press Republican)
The Plattsburgh Polar Plunge will return to Plattsburgh for the first time since 2019 this April as a major fundraiser for the North Country region Special Olympic team.
The Polar Plunge is the largest fundraising event for Special Olympics New York.
“We are very excited to be back in Plattsburgh, I think we had over 200 plungers last time we were here, and we are almost at 200 plungers for this event,” Chris Hughes, Director of Development and Impact, Special Olympics New York, said.
The plunge this year will take place at noon on Saturday, April 5, at Plattsburgh City Beach.
According to Hughes, the money raised during the plunge goes toward the athletes expenses’ during the Special Olympics, including travel and food.
“All at no cost to the athlete, their families or caregivers,” he said.
It is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations, schools and businesses to support Special Olympics New York athletes by jumping into frigid bodies of water across New York State.
Registration will be open from 10 a.m. to noon before the plunge. Plungers can start or join a team at any point before the noon deadline at the event or online.
All team members must raise a minimum of $25 to participate in the plunge.
The fundraiser has currently $8,998.01 raised of a $25,000 goal.
According to Hope Land, who has been coaching for almost four years, coaching has been an “amazing” experience for her and something she “couldn’t be more proud” of.
“The community should rally behind this team. They have such a tenacity and love for the game, they go above and beyond and really put 100% in,” she said.
This will be her first time taking the plunge.
Team members shared some of their favorite aspects of being on the team.
According to Stew Darrah — a North Country team member who finds it all fun — his favorite part of the team is everybody working together.
“We all work together,” he said.
Solan Rabideau-Morse and Hunter Combs, both teammates, agreed with Stew.
“It is very enjoyable,” Rabideau-Morse said. “Just being around everyone.”
Combs said his favorite aspect was making friends with everyone.
“I am very proud to be a part of the team,” Combs said.
